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Gratitude in the Shadows: Thanksgiving Through the Eyes of a Survivor

Let’s talk about Thanksgiving—not from the top of the table, but from beneath it.

 From the quiet places where many women survivors of violence sit, watching the world celebrate a day that, for them, can feel like a carefully curated lie. For women who’ve endured trauma, especially domestic violence, gratitude doesn’t arrive like a guest at the door, arms full of pie. It’s something they have to fight for. It doesn’t always bloom in the heart naturally—it’s grown through grit, grace, and often, grief.

Imagine this: a woman who finally left her abuser, who now lives in a shelter or a new, unfamiliar apartment. She may not have a dining room table anymore. She might not have her children with her this year. She might be flooded with painful memories of past Thanksgivings—where the food was hot, but the love was cold. When gratitude feels expected, but fear was what filled the air.

Now tell her to “be thankful”.

You see the disconnect.

The struggle is real—and rarely spoken.
Thanksgiving can be particularly cruel in its silence. Our culture wraps the holiday in niceties and nostalgia, but for survivors, this season can feel like walking barefoot through broken glass. The world says “be thankful,” while their reality says, “I’m just trying to survive.” They’re battling loneliness. Grieving broken family ties. Wrestling with guilt for not being “joyful enough". Watching others celebrate what they themselves have lost or never had.

And yet—many survivors are grateful.
Not in spite of their pain, but often because of it. They’re grateful for breath. For the chance to rebuild. For the strength it took to walk away. For strangers who became safe places. For peace, even in pieces. Their gratitude may not be loud, but it’s deep—and it’s real.

So what do we do with this tension?
We acknowledge it.

We stop pretending Thanksgiving is the same for everyone. We resist the urge to slap toxic positivity on someone else’s suffering. Instead, we offer space. We ask better questions than “What are you thankful for?” Maybe we ask, “What do you need this season?” “How can I support you?” “What are you healing from?”

And if you're a survivor reading this...

Know this: your version of Thanksgiving doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
If you’re not there yet—if thankfulness feels too heavy right now—it’s okay. You are still worthy. You are still healing. You are still incredibly brave. Your gratitude might not come in loud declarations, but maybe it whispers to you in quiet victories—getting out of bed, making a phone call, choosing peace, choosing you.

This Thanksgiving, may we all give thanks with tenderness and truth. 

Not by ignoring the shadows—but by daring to bring the light in anyway.

Grace in the Everyday: Ministry that Meets Women Where They Are

Every three months, Faith Assembly hosts its Car Care ministry, offering oil changes and some minor repairs for church attendees who schedule an appointment. While the cars are being serviced outside, Mending The Scarred volunteers join those waiting inside—sitting with people to offer prayer, encouragement, and a listening ear.

A prayer shared hand-in-hand, a heartfelt conversation, and the simple reminder that God sees, loves, and cares—all of this takes place right there in the waiting area, while cars are being serviced just outside.

This is what ministry looks like for us: hands serving under the hood, hearts connecting in conversation, and Christ at the center of it all.

Healing Together: Finding Strength in Community

This Month’s Topic: Gratefulness

In seasons of pain or uncertainty, gratitude can feel out of reach—yet it can also become the very path that helps us heal. 

In this gathering, we’ll talk about how gratefulness isn’t pretending everything is fine, but choosing to notice how God is still present, still working, and still good. 

Together, we’ll explore how even small moments of thankfulness can restore peace, bring clarity, and remind us that healing is possible—one step, one grace at a time.

¿Hablas español? | Speak Spanish?

Tema de este mes: Gratitud

En tiempos de dolor o incertidumbre, la gratitud puede parecer lejana—pero también puede convertirse en el camino que nos ayuda a sanar. 

En esta reunión hablaremos sobre cómo agradecer no significa fingir que todo está bien, sino reconocer que Dios sigue presente, sigue obrando y sigue siendo bueno. 

Juntas exploraremos cómo los pequeños momentos de gratitud pueden devolvernos la paz, darnos claridad y recordarnos que la sanidad es posible—paso a paso, gracia tras gracia.

Gratitude in Action: Be Part of a Survivor’s Healing

Gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice we make to show up for others.

It looks like checking in on someone who’s been distant. Donating essentials to a woman starting over with nothing. Taking time to understand what trauma really means so we can respond with empathy—not judgment.

This season, let’s go beyond saying “I’m thankful” and ask:
Who can I lift up? Who needs to know they’re not alone?

When you sponsor a survivor, you’re doing more than giving money—you’re giving hope. You’re helping someone feel seen, valued, and supported in a moment when they need it most.

Because healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when someone reaches out and says, “You matter. I’ve got your back.”

This Thanksgiving, let your gratitude take action. Sponsor a survivor—and be part of rewriting her story.

Together, We Can Break the Cycle of Trauma

Every woman deserves the chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive after trauma.

Many survivors of domestic violence and other hardships face overwhelming challenges—homelessness, financial instability, and emotional wounds that can feel impossible to heal alone. That’s where we step in.

We offer real, life-changing support: counseling, job assistance, emergency aid, food, clothing, medical care, and access to education. But we don’t stop there.

Imagine a place where survivors find not just shelter, but a space to rebuild hope. Mending The Scarred is working toward launching a transitional housing program here in Florida—a safe, temporary home designed to support women in their most fragile moments. Your support today brings us one step closer to making that vision a reality. Together, we can create a future where healing is housed with dignity.

This mission isn’t just about meeting basic needs—it’s about empowerment. We want women to move beyond survival, to become confident, self-sufficient, and ready to build a bright future.

But we can’t do this alone. Your support—whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word—can change lives. 

Together, we can give women the fresh start they deserve.

Will you join us?

Spread the Healing: Invite Others to Join Our Journey

Every journey toward healing becomes more powerful when shared. 

If our newsletter has inspired, uplifted, or encouraged you, we invite you to share it with others who might benefit as well! Encourage your friends, family, or colleagues to subscribe. Together, we can extend the reach of hope, understanding, and connection to even more hearts. 

Let’s grow this community of healing—one invitation at a time.

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